DOVER — Among many topics at Monday night's Citizen Speak Out, the proposed parking garage and police facility were of the most concern.

“What's the purpose? What is the cost? Who is paying for it?” Barbara Hay of Cocheco Park Apartments said. “It'll be an eyesore.”

More than half of the roughly 30 residents in Council Chambers at City Hall were representing Cocheco Park Apartments, all in favor of not building the police station and garage in the Orchard Street parking lot.

The residents of the elderly and disabled housing were concerned the construction would bring additional dirt and emissions to their apartments, additional noise and traffic and would block their view of the downtown.

Deputy Mayor Robert Carrier, who ran the Citizen Speak Out with Councilor Michael Weeden, assured the apartment residents that the Orchard Street parking lot location was just one of many possible sites.

“There is no rendition of the building at this point,” Carrier said. “When things like this come forth, there are locations that are possibilities. That is all. There would be strong public input with this. Nothing could be done with just the City Council.”

Carrier said the public would have the opportunity to speak at a number of open discussions.

“We will do the right thing,” Carrier said. “We will.”

Hay, along with her neighbors, suggested the buildings be planned for Third Street instead of Orchard Street.

“Or why not go out to Route 155 or 108 for the Dover police station?” Hay said. “You don't have the space on Orchard Street for that type of thing.”

Carrier said Orchard Street is just one of the possible site locations.

“There is no rendition of the building at this point,” he said. “There has been talk about infill, of taking an investor and investing in some of the parking lots that we have for downtown infill to make a better downtown.”

Weeden added that the main concern is that as the economy slowly grows in the next five to 10 years, a parking garage will be needed to accommodate the additional vehicles that will be parking in the city to shop, dine and work in Dover. He said the garage and the police station should be downtown because that is where the most activity is.

“We don't have to decide on anything fast,” Carrier said. “ I totally agree with you who have been here for many, many years. It is scary to see all of this stuff going up, views being blocked, traffic congestion ... We are not doing anything fast. Really.”

Weeden added that Dover's main goal at this time is to create a vibrant city with a small town feel.

“I think what we are trying to do as a council and a community is slowly develop the downtown so it's a safe, vibrant community so people can enjoy shopping, enjoy going out to dinner and let small businesses thrive,” he said.

One project that would expand the city's downtown is the waterfront development project, which was also discussed at the Speak Out.

Dover resident Ron Huml said he is not in favor of it.

“I have not talked to one person who wants to extend the contract on the waterfront,” he said, adding he is also against the Jenny Thompson Aquatic Center. “I don't want to see any large (Capital Improvements Plan) approvals in this economy. The economy is bad for the country, bad for the state and bad for the city and the city doesn't seem to feel there is a bad economy.”

Weeden told Huml that the extension of the waterfront development project contract is currently being looked over.

“We're in the talks in whether we are going to extend that or not,” Weeden said. “If we choose to not extend it, the likelihood of another developer coming in the next 18 months is very slim.”

As for the JTAC, Weeden said he is in favor of the facility, but appeared concerned when Tim Paiva, of Seacoast Swimming, who proposed the aquatic center earlier this month at a city council meeting, said it would be up to Weeden and the other councilors to decide what happens to the current two pools should the proposed JTAC pass.

Paiva also addressed concerns on whether the center would or would not cost taxpayers money. He said taxpayers will only pay what they pay now, which is less than $300,000 for pool programs. He said the city will actually be paying less than they pay now for the pools because they will not be paying for the maintenance.

Snow removal was also addressed during the Speak Out, where Carrier said Community Services Director Doug Steele said the last large storm cost Dover $180,000.

“We budget $300,000,” Carrier said, adding it is hard to budget for snow, as the city is unable to predict the season's weather.

Aside from Weeden and Carrier, Councilors Karen Weston and Michael Crago were in attendance along with Recreation Director Gary Bannon and Fire Chief Richard Driscoll.

“This was one of the most effective and informative Speak Outs,” Weeden said.